“I placed two layers of duct tape over Layla’s mouth before I came downstairs, but I can still hear her muffled screams as the detective takes a seat at the table.” The very first sentence in Layla had me instantly covered in goosebumps, fully invested in the story. I knew Colleen Hoover had a darker side after reading her phenomenal thriller Verity, and I was all too happy to be sucked into her vortex of romantic suspense once again — this time with a paranormal spin.